Top pair bottom kicker against all-in from opponent giving mixed signals

[Chipless Wonder]

Drive-by raised from UTG. I figured a raise from him UTG meant that he had A-A, K-K, Q-Q, A-K or possibly A-Q. Since I was holding an ace, I felt it was most likely that he had K-K or Q-Q. I was in late position and called with I could flop a straight or flush draw, and I felt I could also win if an ace flopped.

Before the flop came, he looked very strong to me. When the flop came, there was an ace and he looked concerned and checked. I bet half the pot, believing he didn't like the ace at all. He check-raised the minimum. The check-raise was a strong move, but the minimum raise part of it was weak. As I watched him he now looked weak again. I was pretty sure he didn’t want a call, so I of course called.

The turn came and he immediately went all-in. Still no flushes or straights out there. That’s pretty strong from a player who doesn’t raise very many hands, raised this one UTG, and then check-raised me on the flop. There were no flushes or straights on the board. As I watched him, I again decided he was weak, but I just felt my two kicker wouldn’t cut it. What if he did in fact have A-K or A-Q which I had originally ruled out? That would explain every step he’d taken so far. Maybe he had A-Q and was afraid of me having A-K. That would explain all the mixed signals I felt.

There were 5,000 chips in the pot, and it was going to cost me another 4,600 to call. So I was getting just over 2:1 on my money. He only has to be bluffing a third of the time for this call to be right. And I’m sitting on 10,000 chips, so would still have 5,400 if I lose.

What do you put him on and what would you do here?

[otbdave]

Without giving us a board I must assume that the board did not really matter...

If you read that you had top pair and you are beating him then you should call getting 2:1. It would have to be a strong read but it sounds like yours is.

He has done everything I possibly could to make you fold your hand. What can he put you on right here, what is the board? Could you still have a draw?

It sounds like you have to call.

[ohpokergal]

Although he's "acting" weak, he has to believe one of two things....

1) HE has AK and he feels pretty good about it, or
2) HE has KKs or QQs as you first suggested and since you only called his raise and check raise, he doesn't think you HAVE an ace, but perhaps another high pair.

I think you're in a tough position here, because if you call and he has A ANYthing he probably beats you. You only win if he really is semi-bluffing or just taking a stab with his KKs or QQs .....

I haven't played with Dave B a lot, but I don't see him as a big bluffer.

I think you're beat.... odds or not.... if so, why risk half your stack?

[wreaks]

When I call a raise in position with suited A rag, the last card I want to see on the board is an A, unless there's 2 of them. He's made 3 strong plays; if he's bluffing and you can make a call and be ahead, then that's a great call. I would guess you'd be behind in this situation more than 2/3 times, but if this is that one time when you're ahead then nice hand and good pot.

[SparX]

fold preflop
check behind on the flop
fold on the turn

[Chipless Wonder]

fold preflop
check behind on the flop
fold on the turn

LOL - at least I got ONE of the three right Chris.

[niner1984]

call preflop becuase you know the big blind is a defender (thats me) you get nice odds
check behind on flop
call turn
ma by call river depending on bet

[wreaks]

If we're talking about how to play the hand differently, I would also check behind on the flop and call the turn, then see what happens on the river.